Michael Hunt

Lawyers signing up to the College of Law in the North West has increased by 30% the training company has announced today.

The college said the statistics represent a huge endorsement and boosts Manchester's credentials as the country's largest legal community outside of London.

In October last year, the College of Law had taken the problematic space alongside City Tower in central Manchester that was originally built by the previous owners for use as a gym.

The new £5.5m legal centre will open in September this year.

Commenting on the statistics, regional director of the College of Law, Tricia Chatterton, said: "This is excellent news for the region and for the legal profession. With bespoke training offered in partnership with some of the world's leading law firms, students are signing up to the college here in the North West confident that their training will meet the needs of their future employers."

Nigel Savage, chief executive of The College of Law, added: "The overwhelming interest also means that our investment in the development of professional skills here has increased the retention of talent across the region, which is vital if we are to grow the North West business community and realise its full potential."